Governor Inslee has charged the Workforce Board, in partnership with the Health Workforce Council, to develop recommendations to policymakers on ways to address shortages, distribution challenges and other retention issues in behavioral health.

Behavioral health is an evolving area in the healthcare field and incorporates a wide range of issues, including mental health, behaviors that impact health, such as eating and exercising, as well as chemical dependency. Because physical health and behavioral health issues frequently go together, there is an increased focus on finding ways to treat both issues, particularly in a primary care setting.

"This evaluation will establish a baseline for behavioral health workforce shortages and provide a plan for improving how we coordinate the right services for patients," said Gov. Inslee. "We need to better understand how and where our citizens are receiving services, identify providers meeting those needs and expand training opportunities. It is crucial for Washingtonians to get the 'whole person' healthcare services they need."

The Council regularly updates a strategic plan. The plan outlines actions for the Legislature, state and local agencies, educators, labor, healthcare industry employers, and workers to take to close the gap. In 2003, the Legislature passed Engrossed Senate House Bill 1852 directing the Workforce Board to continue convening the Council, to monitor the state plan and report to the Legislature annually.

The Council holds public meetings at least twice a year to oversee progress on achieving the goals and strategies of the plan.

What is the Council plan for addressing healthcare personnel
shortages?

The Council plan outlines six goals:

Increase educational capacity and efficiency in healthcare training
programs to enable more people to gain qualification to work in healthcare
occupations.

Develop a data collection and analysis system to assess health workforce
supply and demand.

Retain current healthcare workers.

Enable local communities to implement strategies to alleviate the healthcare personnel shortage in their areas.

Develop a mechanism to ensure continued collaboration among stakeholders,
track progress, create accountability for fulfilling this plan, and to plan for
future health workforce needs.

Does the Council report to the Legislature?Yes, state
statute passed in 2003 (ESHB
1852) requires the task force to report progress annually to the
Governor and Legislature.

Want to attend a Council meeting?
Anyone is
welcome to observe Council meetings. There is space for about 40 audience
members at each meeting.

How does the Council connect to local Skill
Panels?Since 2000, the Workforce Board has issued grants to support
Industry Skill Panels for the purpose of enhancing competitiveness for
industries that are key to a local region’s economy. healthcare is considered
such an industry and there are healthcare Skill Panels in each of the state’s
12 Workforce Development Areas. While health Skill Panels are not solely
responsible for activities that eliminate health workforce shortages, they play
a pivotal role and are often a catalyst.